Shiotsu Autotrade Japan – President’s Blog

The auto industry is moving towards fuel efficient and eco-friendly hybrid cars and trucks.  This is a welcome move when the fuel prices are rising day by day. However, if you own a gasoline or diesel powered car, you can not just dump it and go for a hybrid vehicle.  We can still take some measures to improve fuel economy of conventional cars to combat skyrocketing fuel prices.  Here are some simple tips – which are often overlooked – to increase your car’s fuel efficiency;  each little step can add up to cut down your fuel expenses significantly.

1. Tune Your Engine
Fixing a car that has failed the emission test or whose engine is out of tune can increase the fuel economy by up to 4%.  Serious problems like faulty oxygen sensor can reduce fuel efficiency by 40%.  So follow the recommendation on servicing by your car manufacturer and change your oil regularly.

2.Keep Proper Tire Pressure
Keeping your tires inflated to the optimum pressure is one of the simplest steps you can take to improve the fuel efficiency of your car.  You can improve your car mileage by about 3.3 % by having proper pressure in your tires.  Properly inflated tires also are safer and last longer.  You can check the sticker for recommended tire pressure near the driver’s side door or in the owner’s manual.

3. Lighten Your Load
Your car trunk may have unnecessary items such as tools, luggage, golf clubs or skiing shoes. Books, CDs, and other things can also add up to weight of car.  A roof rack when it is not needed is also adding to the load your car is carrying.  You should get rid of all such unnecessary items.  In a typical vehicle, your fuel efficiency can drop by 2% for every extra 50 kg you carry.

4. Clean the Air Filters Regularly
Air filters are needed to keep your engine protected from impurities.  Fuel economy can be improved by as much as 10% by replacing a clogged air filter.  It can also improve acceleration time by about 5 to 10 %.

5. Use the Recommended Grade of Motor Oil and Fuel
When you change your oil, you should insist on the manufacturer’s recommended grade of motor oil.  This step can improve your gas mileage by 1-2 %. Also, you should always use the manufacturer’s recommended grade fuel for your car.  Higher octane fuel leads not only to wastage of money, but may damage the vehicle, as well.

6. Don’t drive fast
You should drive within the speed limit recommended by the manufacturer.  If you drive faster, you’d consume more fuel.  Even if you exceed the speed limit by 8 km/hr, your fuel economy can be affected by affected by about 25%.  In the same manner, accelerating quickly uses more fuel; so you should accelerate gradually and slowly and stay within the recommended speed limits.

7. Clean Spark Plugs
Spark plugs get eroded and have a limited life span.  You should inspect your spark plugs regularly and make sure that they are in good condition.  You should replace the spark plugs and wires at regular intervals recommended by the manufacturer.  This will help keep all engine cylinders to fire properly thus resulting in higher fuel efficiency.

8. Keep the Windows Closed
When you are driving on highways, driving with your windows open consumes more fuel than keeping the air conditioner on.   So, if you want to keep your interior cool, it is advisable to keep the windows closed and the Air Conditioner on.  Of course, you should use the A/C judiciously as it can decrease the fuel efficiency considerably too.

9. Don’t Be a Clutch-Driver
Some people have the habit of keeping their foot on the clutch while driving.  When you do this, the pressure on your clutch not only reduces mileage, but also causes wear and tear of the clutch plate, replacing which is often expensive.

10. Stay away from Car modifications
It’s always wise to keep the car in the original condition.  Remember that any modification to the car, such as adding diffusers, broad tires, etc., will affect the fuel efficiency and mileage considerably.

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Review of Isuzu Forward (F Series) Trucks

Medium duty trucks from Japanese truck maker Isuzu, also know as Isuzu Forward series or F Series have been the market leaders in their class for more than a decade.  Isuzu has over 40 new models to choose from in many configurations such as dump, wing, mixer to ambulance and crane trucks.  Isuzu Forward trucks are well known worldwide for their excellent performance, safety features, power, durability and maneuverability.  These trucks are available in 5 ton to 17 ton configurations.

There’s a generation gap between the Isuzu Forward Series and its competitors.  All Isuzu F Series trucks are fitted with revolutionary AMT system, which offers the economy and performance and of a manual transmission with all the merits of an automatic transmission.

Many of our regular customers who have import used Isuzu forward trucks from us are very happy because of the value they get for their money.  They like the comfortable and roomy driver cabin which won’t make them tired in spite of long journeys of up to 15 hours a day.  It rides very smooth -- thanks to the tapered leaf used in its front suspension and air ride or multi-leaf in its rear suspension.  All the engines in the Forward Series trucks are air to air inter-cooled and turbo charged.  And, with the 6 speed ZF gearbox the towing becomes effortless -- whether you have a towing truck or a crane truck.  Hill start Aid is also of a great help as it limits truck roll-back during take-off on hills under load conditions.

The Isuzu Forward series have a high maneuverability. These trucks can easily navigate through narrow streets and tight corners.  It has 6% more glass area on the wind screen offering excellent visibility to the driver to see out.  Isuzu Forward trucks are fitted with lots of safety features which are welcome by all drivers.  These features include a spacious comfortable interior, ABS brakes, easy to read instruments, driver’s SRS airbag, tilt/telescoping steering column  and a deluxe air suspension seat with adjustable lumbar support.

Most of the Isuzu Forward owners say that it the best truck for its size that they have ever driven.  To sum up the Isuzu Forward Series in 4 words :   Tough, Reliable, Safe and Comfortable.  Check the video to see how tough is an Isuzu Forward truck!

Many times our customers inquire about the different types of used Japanese trucks that we export.  Well, we deal with all trucks of all Japanese makers including Hino, Isuzu, Mitsubishi Fuso, Nissan UD, Suzuki, Daihatsu and Mazda.  We deal with heavy duty trucks, medium duty trucks, light duty trucks, buses as well as mini trucks.  We deal not only with the common wing or dump trucks but also a variety of special purpose trucks.  Here are some of the types of trucks we deal with.

Dump Trucks

Dump truck carries soil and sand. Since a large dump truck is powered by a large diesel engine, it can transport at once a cargo weighing about 10 tons or equivalent to the weight of about 200 people (in case of 10 ton dump truck).  Dump truck is named as such since it ” dumps” when it unloads by tilting its cargo box.

Crane Trucks

Crane Car has a crane behind the cab. Crane powered by diesel engine helps to hoist heavy cargos on board.  There are cranes which are strong enough to hoist 5 tons, equivalent to a weight of 50 people.

Garbage Trucks

Garbage Truck works for collecting garbage from each household.  Garbage is thrown in the car from rearward, and rolling plate, powered by the diesel engine, crushes the garbage into the truck.

Mixer Trucks

Mixer trucks are used for delivering concrete to construction sites.  They are charged with dry materials and water, with the mixing occurring during transport.

Car Carrier

The number of cars a car carrier can transport depends on what type of car it carries but it can carry at maximum seven units of passenger cars of up to six seating capacity.

Ladder Trucks

Ladder truck are used to put out fire and rescue people when fire or other disaster breaks out.  The extension of the ladder is also powered by diesel engine. The ladder truck can extend in one minute its ladder to the 12th floor of a building.

Fuel Trucks

Fuel truck carries petroleum liquid such as gasoline and kerosene, LP gas, natural gas, and also drinking water.  The mechanism of the tank is different according to the carried liquid.  10 ton fuel truck with diesel power carries 14,000 liter of liquid, equivalent to 40,000 cans of 350 liter drink.

Snowplows

Snowplow cleans snow from roads when it heavily snows.  Vehicle has a big shovel in front. Snowplow has a power to move height of one meter of fresh snow, and such power is generated by the diesel engine.

Road Sweeper

Road sweeper cleans dirt and rubbish on the road while driving.  The collected wastes are transferred to a dump truck for dumping.  The sweeper moves very close to the pavement to clean rubbish at the edge of the road.

Ambulance

Ambulance is to rush an injured or sick person to the hospital.  It carries medical equipment and medicine that allows treatment in the vehicle.   Around the world, there is an ambulance in which eight patients can be treated at once in the vehicle.

Mobile Library

Mobile Library is a vehicle for the people whose houses are too far from the library hence it is hard them to go.  This vehicle runs throughout the towns and cities with more than 2000 books on board and offers the books to borrow.

And there are many other types of used trucks from Japan as shown in the above picture.  Please feel free to inquire the type of truck you may be interested in.